variants
also nonplused
as in perplexed
faced with difficulty or uncertainty about what to say, think, or do
the self-possessed actress seemed uncharacteristically nonplussed after the director's harsh appraisal of her performance
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also nonplused
as in embarrassed
to throw into a state of self-conscious distress
I was nonplussed by his openly expressed admiration of me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nonplussed
Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 18 Nov. 2024
The kids are nonplussed, with the novelty of silly voices wearing off after a few stories.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2024
For however much preparation had assuredly gone into putting up a 20-night engagement in the massive dome, Henley sounded in those five words just as nonplussed as any veteran of the low-glitz 1970s probably ought to be.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 21 Sep. 2024
And then there were the two best additions to the cast, the witchy Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin) and the chronically nonplussed Simon Strong (Simon Russell Beale), neither of whom could be arsed to put up with Daemon’s brooding self-importance.
—Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for nonplussed
Adjective
That nonplussed energy that is actually, in fact, very much plussed.
—Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 18 Nov. 2024
The kids are nonplussed, with the novelty of silly voices wearing off after a few stories.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2024
For however much preparation had assuredly gone into putting up a 20-night engagement in the massive dome, Henley sounded in those five words just as nonplussed as any veteran of the low-glitz 1970s probably ought to be.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 21 Sep. 2024
And then there were the two best additions to the cast, the witchy Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin) and the chronically nonplussed Simon Strong (Simon Russell Beale), neither of whom could be arsed to put up with Daemon’s brooding self-importance.
—Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for nonplussed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonplussed
Adjective
-
This situation caused the Reddit user to become perplexed.—
Erica Lamberg,
Fox News,
13 Feb. 2025
-
The audacious broad-daylight carjacking and grisly murder in Central Florida last spring perplexed law enforcement officials for months.—
Martin E. Comas,
Orlando Sentinel,
30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Hubbard’s bewildered eyes locked on Pacific Palisades, a Los Angeles community reshaped by flames.—
Bryce Miller,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Feb. 2025
-
Anyone else is likely to emerge unharmed, if a little bewildered that these good-looking but skin-deep figures merited feature treatment.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Now, a development that once baffled educators and administrators is ready to go mainstream.—
Lexi Lonas Cochran,
The Hill,
31 Dec. 2024
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Other stories explore similar themes in equally bizarre situations: In 1880s London, a very suave Joseph Merrick, aka The Elephant Man, flirts shamelessly with the smitten wife of his very baffled doctor (Goldsberry and Kind, respectively).—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
22 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Many people get confused by these forms which contain code and jargon that rarely offer a clear explanation of anything.—
Steve Weisman,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
-
Many were left confused as to how or why the Yankees couldn't have matched that number to bring the Gold Glove first baseman to the Bronx.—
Gord Magill,
Newsweek,
21 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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After all, how many evil corporations have started because a guy got embarrassed about his wiener in the woods?—
Josh Wigler,
The Hollywood Reporter,
10 Feb. 2025
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The Hoosiers have too often been embarrassed during Woodson’s four seasons.—
Scott Dochterman,
The Athletic,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Some were too flustered to articulate their thoughts beyond a deep gratitude for God and Trump.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
10 Feb. 2025
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McIlroy credited his ability not to get flustered with himself and to strategically work his way around an iconic course where Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Tiger Woods have won the U.S. Open.—
Cam Inman,
Orlando Sentinel,
3 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nonplussed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonplussed. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
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